Golf-Open-Late Mickelson charge puts crowd in frenzy

By Larry Fine

FARMINGDALE, New York, June 21 (Reuters) - Phil Mickelson curled in a 35-foot birdie putt at the 18th to send the Bethpage Black crowd into a frenzy on Sunday and boost his confidence about making a final-round charge at the U.S. Open.

The putt, igniting a roar that caused third-round leader Ricky Barnes to back off his tee shot at the 15th, completed a rollercoaster round of 69 for a two-under-par total of 208 that put him in fifth place, six shots back of leader Ricky Barnes.

"Anything can happen in the U.S. Open," world number two Mickelson told reporters about the final round of the rain-delayed championship that was to begin later on Sunday and finish on Monday.

"There are a lot of birdies on this golf course and there are a lot of bogeys and doubles, as well."

Mickelson illustrated the point in his third round by posting seven birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey.

"I feel like I'm only 18 good holes away," he said. "If I get a hot round going, I can get a little bit of momentum, absolutely I feel like I can make up the difference."

Mickelson, a crowd favourite when he finished runner-up to Tiger Woods in the 2002 Open at Bethpage, has received an even bigger reception this week from fans sympathetic to the plight of his wife who is about to begin treatment for breast cancer.

"The crowds here are incredible," said three-times major winner Mickelson, who received standing ovations from fans in the stands as he approached the 17th and 18th greens.